~ Life Travel Design Interior Food & Me

Category Archives: LIFE

I have been too quiet, I know. I’m so busy renovating our new chalet, well, if you could call something from 1860 ‘new’, that I simply have not had 5 minutes to write. We’re renting a very cute little chalet called ‘Chalet Chocolat’ while the builders are on site, and as sweet as it is, it’s also tiny. 40 Sq.m at a push. And here we have a small table were we have to work, eat, prepare dinner, and try not to bite each other’s heads off… I’m dreaming of having space to work in, dreaming so much, in fact, that I’ve been looking at my dream home office. I’ll share these with you!

Inspired by Eve. An immaculate genesis of sinful notes of chaste red Apples and succulent juicy Pears atop Muguet and musky Amber, this wonderful creation is the perfect setting of the Garden of Eden, where the ultimate Femme Fatala, Eve, was born.

A dark and complex blend, Muse Secrete opens with succulent citrus notes that deepen into a heady, floral heart of night-blooming Jasmine and seductive Ylang Ylang. Intricate richness is enhanced with the intense depth of Indian Sandalwood and Vetiver.

PANPURI Signature Candle – Siamese Water

A hallmark of Panpuri Signature Essential Oil blends, Siamese water transports you back in time to the ancient water festival of the Kingdom of Siam with its deep, sweet blooms and exotic floral notes of honey-colored Jasmine absolute, delicately interwoven with sensuous Ylang Ylang’s white petals and a fresh, fragrant hint of Thai Mint.

PANPURI Signature Candle – Indochine

A tropical citrus signature that is fresh and vibrant, Indochine reveals the iconic Indian Ayurvedic Lemongrass, enhanced by luminous Bergamot peel, blossoming Mandarin and verdant Spearmint. The splashy top notes are melded into tangy floral hints of Chinese May Chang and French Lavender with a subtle Sandalwood undertone, resulting in an exhilaratingly fresh and invigorating experience.

GRAND MANCHOU

A contemporary interpretation of a traditional Chinese accord that opens with crisp, clear, fresh notes of Spice and Citrus. Chinese Grapefruit and Australian Eucalyptus pave the way for a nostalgic bouquet that is deep and elegant. Rosewood Oriental reveals its glorious past with a luxurious heart, enveloping the space with warmth and finesse.

PANPURI Signature Candle – Distant Shores

A Burst of fresh spring blooms on a lush coastal hill, awakening the senses with verdant Australian Eucalyptus and Thai Mint, fused with delectable floral notes of Mediterranean terrain, creating a sleek, enticing touch.

And, lastly, Velvet Blossoms

Sensual and defined, this intoxicating concoction is a passionate rendezvous of the opulent “Queen of Tropical Flowers”, Ylang-Ylang, and the earthy traditions of French Lavender. Seductive accents are fused into an alluring charm of Egyptian Geranium, intensifying tenacious romance that lingers with woody musk undertones of Indian Sandalwood

With the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations and the Olympics all in one year, London is certainly the town to be in at the moment! I’m lucky enough to visit London a few times a year, ostensibly to keep my husband company, he HATES to travel alone, but basically, to fit in a shopping spree of epic proportions. Living in South Africa for a large part of the year, I feel like a deprived child when it comes to fashion, so, oh boy, when I get to London, I let loose, and rue my credit card statement for the next few months!

Ideally, I like to go in spring, as, except for skiing, I’m mostly in my summer wardrobe, and I hate shopping in autumn when the shops are full of black and grey and brown. Soooo depressing. I also can’t stand the sales in London, everything jammed on rail after rail, women pulling and shoving and bumping, and places like Selfridges and Harrods are the worst. They’ll actually step over your unconscious body. I also find people on Oxford street incredibly rude, someone will bump into you so hard you’re left with a bruise, and they’ll pass you by without so much as an ‘excuse me’. Maybe it’s because that’s where all the tourists are? It’s very much every man for himself.

That said, I love a bargain as much as the next girl, so if there’s a pair of Choo’s you’ve had your eye on for ages, the sales would be the perfect time to pick it up, but your timing has to be impeccable, and then you pray that they still have your size in stock. Generally, I’d just rather pay full price for something that I love, than go home with something that’ll end up hanging in my cupboard with the tag on, because it was less 70%.

London is the most amazing place for shopping. I love high-street fashion, and they do it so much better than in New York, Paris or Milan. And, strangely enough, I’ve compared prices of the big designer brands, and Prada or Gucci was no cheaper in Milan than it is in London. And the variety…., I get complete fashion overload. 3 to 5 days is normally enough, then I’m exhausted and broke. We’ve discussed a few times moving back to London (my husband M lived there for 20 years), but, like he rightly said, we’ll be bankrupt in no time.

Oh, and don’t get me started on the food. I think restaurants in London are among the best in the world. I’ve had much much better Italian food in London than I’ve ever had in Italy. There are just too many good ones to choose from. We had lunch in a little place called Cavallino, not somewhere we’ve ever heard of before, and it was FANTASTIC. The best cotoletta alla milanese I’ve tasted in years, if not ever. M used to be in the restaurant business in London for many years, so it’s always great to see what’s new and happenening, and to eat VERY well. We had dinner at the new hotspot, members club, The Arts club, and even though it was 11 o’clock at night, and the place was absolutely bursting at the seams, they managed to serve the best meal I’ve had this year. Out-of-this-world. Don’t ask me what I had, there was a whole table laden with food, but I recall the creamiest scrambled eggs I’ve ever had (especially for dinner?), with white truffles, and there was a yellowtail tartare with lime and ginger dressing I’ll remember forever. Tian of crab, lamb chop with red pepper relish, the rest, after many many cocktails, is a bit of a blur, but I will be going back for more for sure! Also, after spending enough time in Switzerland, the prices don’t even seem that shocking. Food in supermarkets are certainly cheaper than in most European countries, in fact, some of it’s even cheaper than in South Africa, and the general quality and variety is fantastic. Marks and Spencer, Waitrose, Tesco, I just love walking through the aisles. Oh, and the food department at Harrods………… and the chocolate area in Selfridges, and the teas at Fortnum and Mason, and the rooftop supermarket in Harvey Nichols, and the Hummingbird bakery, and Ottolenghi, and Nobu and the Borough market, oh, I’ll be bankrupt, and fat!, if I lived in London…

Well, needless to say, with all the eating and shopping, I never actually do any of the sights in London, but isn’t it enough to just soak in the atmosphere? But one day, one day, I’m going to make it to the natural history museum, to see what a PROPER cabinet of curiosities looks like….

Tea tea lovely tea, I can never get enough of all the gorgeous packaging, even though I don’t actually DRINK tea…. Fortnum and Mason is one of my favourite stops for a tin or two, and they’re lovely as gifts.

And is there a more elegant picnic basket than this?

Talking of tea, that should of course be one of the ‘must-do’ things when visiting London. A good old fashioned afternoon high tea. One of my favourites is at the Berkeley London, where their designer afternoon tea, Prêt-à-Portea, is inspired by the themes and colours of the fashion world.

The new Spring / Summer 2012 collection sees designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Jason Wu and Valentino grace the Berkeley’s tea stand. Prêt-à-Portea adds a creative twist to the traditional English afternoon tea with cakes and pastries resembling the latest designsfor the style conscious. I loved when Anya Hindmarch made little handbag-shaped biscuits, I just couldn’t bear to eat them!

Now, according to Belleabouttown, the five best places for afternoon tea in London is at The Dorchester, The Langham, The Metropolitan, The Berkeley, and the Orangerie at Kensington palace. Be sure to try one next time you’re in London!

The arts club is London’s oldest art club. This grand Mayfair institution, co-founded by Charles Dickens, has entertained the likes of Whistler, Kipling, Degas and many a Royal Academician since it first opened nearly 150 years ago.

Having undergone a major, year-long refurb the place has an uber plush new look (no boho touches or shabby chic here) and a star-studded committee; Gwyneth Paltrow has collaborated on the décor with David d’Almada and Mark Ronson is in charge of the music. Stella McCartney is a patron, also HRH Prince Philip. The club’s restaurant is currently home to the hottest tables in town, with superstar chef Raphael Duntoye (from Le Petite Maison) overseeing a delectable menu, and has a world class contemporary art collection.

I spent a WHOLE DAY in the Selfridges shoe gallery. Does that make me a bad person?

It seemed that if you didn’t own a pair of glossy rose gold shoes, you simply weren’t current, darling! And if they look like something out of the Jetsons, living in space, even better!

Louboutin, oh Louboutin

I lost my heart to these…

Every girl needs a pair of party shoes to dance the night away in!

What is not to love about Alaïa?

Lanvin

The stylist, Rachel Zoe, has her own shoe range now. Not really my style, seeing as I’m nearly 6 foot tall, and with rather large feet, I need to steer clear of the platforms. Otherwise I scare small children and men.

I also popped downstairs to their interior section, and loved the antler mural. And can you ever have too many beautiful mirrors or cloches?

Then off to the Harrods food hall for a snack, before I undergo some more retail therapy.

I discovered a fantastic new shop by Latvian designer Atis Artemjevs, floating, frothy creations, wth the most innovative draping, and the wonderful assistant, that gave us tips on her favourite Icelandic restaurants, a real gem!

Now, I’m not normally one for second-hand/vintage shops (same problem with digging through rails of clothes), but I did find a fabulous shop, Sign of the times, just off the Kings road, stocking Alexander McQueen, Cavalli, Dior, Gucci etc etc. All lovely, on trend fashion with not a mothball in sight. A McQueen dress would set you back about £150-£300, Dior for £250, and I bough a gorgeous emerald green dress by Bruce Oldfield for £100. See, told you I loved a bargain!

Had to stop off at two of my favourite shops, French sole and Blue Velvet, to pick up some ballet pumps, I know, we’re so tired of them, but they’re great if you have to walk miles and miles!

I also tried to do lots of research on interiors, and stopped off at as many places as I could. Saw some wonderful driftwood tables and mirrors at Oka, reindeer ice-bucket at India Jane (it’ll work in the chalet), crystal at William Yeoward, fabrics at Designers guild, oh the list goes on. Spent waaaay too much time in Anthropology – will post that tomorrow – and had a good look around Ralph Lauren.

I love the marble topped table in Ralph Lauren

The linens were incredibly intricate, I’d love to dress a very feminine bedroom in these..

French connection has started a home-ware collection. Very calm beach-side chic…

Very cool campaign-style chair

After a long day of shopping, back to the Berkeley, the Blue bar this time, for a well deserved glass of champagne!

After 5 days in London, I’m well and truly exhausted. One of my best friends is a buyer for a big fashion chain – is that every girl’s dream job, or what? – and I truly don’t know how she does it. I’m suffering from complete sensory overload, too much information to process, and a monster hangover from all the party-ing and dining.

Thanks to said hangover, I had to cancel our table at Heston Blumenthal’s London restaurant, Dinner, and I’m completely devastated! I was SO looking forward to it, I’m obsessed with that man’s cooking, but I just can’t seem to drag myself out of bed on a rainy Sunday night in London.

This cool Paris apartment belongs to a hair and make-up artist team, who have since turned in their brushes to follow the scent of a rose. In their amazing Paris shop Odorantes, they are mixing antique objects with a profusion of exceptional roses in an athmosphere of undergrowth. Their talents as event designers is sought by everyone who is anyone in Paris. Givenchy, Céline, Chanel and many others are devotees of their flesh-colored and black roses.

With a penchant for eighteenth century style, they have applied their prodigious talents to their apartment in the Halles neighbourhood of central Paris, creating a magical atmosphere with their market finds.

A set of Medici vases adorns the staircase, below which resides some of their collection of taxidermy, which includes a swan, seagulls and cockatoos.

The bluish gray of the dried hydrangea, matte gray of zinc, stormy gray of wrought iron, and the gray of patinated furniture all blends delightfully in this study in gray.

This sideboard with its black painted top serves as a sublime altar for Saint Elizabeth.

A Medici vase with Black Wanda orchids sits atop a nineteenth-century garden table in the company of a crown from a production of operetta King Lear.

A greenhouse table overlooked by Neptune and framed specimens of beetles.

!How to transform a barren piece of land on an island in the middle of the Finnish archipelago into an easy living outdoorsy summer compound? A place that can also withstand winter storms off the frozen Baltic sea, snow, and marauding moose?

The Finnish archipelago from the air. Oh, which island to choose…

Finally! We found the perfect island!

Admiring the view from our slice of Heaven

The little boat that could….Buster doing another trip to the island

M the handyman proud of the foundations he laid….

Because we are so incredibly impatient, and couldn’t wait another summer for a building team, we decided to go with a kit house. I love the Finnish sensibility, how buildings should be simple and functional, natural materials, and as green as possible. The house was put up in 6 days, and finishing took another 3 months. Now, furnishing it, on the other hand, will take a lifetime!

Did someone order a delivery?

More deliveries….

Will the deliveries ever end?

Construction begins on the kit house!

Work on the Sauna house begins. The two wonderful Finnish builders that built the Sauna house, all by themselves, in two days, by working through the night without breaks…..now that’s good work ethics!

The Sauna house

I’ve decided I’d rather turn the bedroom in the sauna house into a spa room, with glass fronted cupboards filled with every lotion, potion and scented candle known to man. There will be a fireplace in the room, and I’m upholstering the beds with loose towelling covers, so they will be more like chaises you can lounge on after you’ve had your sauna and are scrubbing yourself and have a hair mask on, relaxing in front of the fire with fragranced candles lit! Then I can just put sheets on the beds if we have to use it as a bedroom – I mean, realistically, how often are we going to have 8 people staying? So my spa room it’ll be! Now, I’m working on M to add a deck behind the sauna house with an outside bathroom – meaning: free-standing tub! We have the hot tub beneath the house, but that’s turned out to be rather a lot of work, pumping water up from the sea and then spending HOURS heating it – a bit of a white elephant, if you ask me – but I WANTED it, should’ve know better. At least it looks nice. I think a bathtub standing outside, hidden behind a screen and with a big ol mirror leaning against a wall, outside fireplace, and dare I say it, even a chandelier in the tree, sounds like my idea of heaven. Obviously, M’s not that keen – all that nonsense about not interfering with nature – gmff – but I can be persistent if I have to (or, the term better known by men around the world, NAG), so we’ll see if I can win this battle! You will get to see the end result later!

So how DOES a girl from a farm in the middle of South Africa end up on an island in the Finnish archipelago? Well, that’s what happens when you marry a Scandinavian man… It feels like I spend MOST of my life travelling from our summer house on an island in Finland, to the little farm-house in the South of France, or our house in Cape town, South Africa. And that’s when we’re not in Malta, where we’re residents. Throughout all this my hubby will be by my side and all you need to know about him is that he indulges and humours me, and he goes by M.

The fun thing about this life is that I get to travel, explore, renovate, decorate, shop, try new restaurants, and bake, so that’s what I write about, things that inspire me, catch my eye, and make my heart beat faster. In my spare time I’m a collector, designer, photographer, writer, muse and artist at heart. My current obsessions are cabinets of curiosities, copper-plate engravings by Albertus Seba, the natural history museum, vertical gardens, orchids, lepidopterology, quartz crystals, book art, and yes, shoes, always shoes.

Baking is another of my many passions, I know no better way of expressing love and friendship to people, presenting them with a tray of cupcakes fresh from the oven, and besides, there’s no scented-candle that beats the fragrance of baking brownies wafting through the house! I’m not a professional chef by any means, and I like to experiment with old favourites, sometimes successful, sometimes not so much! but I AM passionate about it, so even if the recipes have not been tested in a professional kitchen, the favourites I post here have been baked by myself, and eaten by those I love.

In a perfect life, I’d be living on a farm in a country where the weather’s never bad, yet I get to sit in front of a roaring fire in the evenings. There’ll be animals, and I’d read interior blogs, shop on-line, try new recipes, always get to lick out the bowl, eat chocolate for breakfast every day, all while wearing a silk & lace slip and fabulous shoes. I’d get to re-decorate every year with an unlimited budget. I’ll have friends over for long lunches under the old oak trees every day. I’ll get to drink champagne when I’m thirsty. I’ll always have perfect hair. My best friend will be a couturier. Another will own a vineyard. I’ll be invited on amazing holidays. Hang on, that IS my life (except for the good hair), and this is my story.

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.